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New Orleans Pelicans: 5 former Pels that would help in 2020

By Eliot Clough

DENVER - APRIL 13: P.J. Brown #42 of the New Orleans Hornets looks up at the clock after a timeout against the Denver Nuggets in the second half on April 13, 2005 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets won 116-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowleges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
DENVER - APRIL 13: P.J. Brown #42 of the New Orleans Hornets looks up at the clock after a timeout against the Denver Nuggets in the second half on April 13, 2005 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets won 116-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowleges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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New Orleans Pelicans Mandatory Credit: Craig Jones
New Orleans Pelicans Mandatory Credit: Craig Jones /

The Honorable Mentions

Baron Davis

Attending to the previous mention of not simply adding the best players in the franchise history, we’ll start off strong.

Baron Davis, having begun his career in Charlotte and being a part of the team that moved from the North Carolina location to New Orleans, is clearly, at the very least, a top 5 player in franchise history.

The UCLA product had arguably the best season of his career with the Hornets in New Orleans, averaging his career-high in points (22.9) and steals (2.4) per game with the team during the 2003-2004 season. He also averaged 7.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game the same year.

Despite the incredible, raw talent of Davis, he doesn’t fit the needs of the current roster. The future Hall of Famer was a ball-dominant, scoring point guard. With Ball starting at the point guard position and Holiday at shooting guard, it’s tough to determine where Davis would fit in the rotation, even if one of them were to come off the bench.

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Incredibly talented? Yes. Gritty, get the job done at all costs kind of guy? Yes.  Would it be hard to say no to adding him to any team? Yes. Does he fit the team as it is constructed at the moment?

No.

Dell Curry

Speaking of a shooting need, why not add the father of arguably the greatest shooter of all time?

Over the 10 year span the Dell Curry spent with the Hornets in Charlotte, he shot an average of over 40 percent from 3-point land for seven years, also putting up double-digit points every year, typically hovering around 15 points a game. Having been a bit before this time in terms of shooting volume and efficiency, the OG Curry would be an incredible asset for the 2019-2020 Pelicans.

However, his game was certainly not perfect. Curry wasn’t an outstanding ball-handler by any means, and his defense was undeniably poor. Adding in the fact that having Charlotte Hornets as members of this list is somewhat of a gray area, he doesn’t make the top five.

Ryan Anderson

Yes, for all we know, Ryan Anderson could make a return to the league in 2020. But, for right now, the former Pelicans sharp-shooter is unemployed.

Before the absolutely outlandish contract the Cal product was handed during his 2016 free agency, Anderson lit up the stat-sheet for a few years with the Pelicans. From 2012-2016, Anderson averaged 16.7 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 37 percent from three. He played in 60+ games for three of those years.

Anderson, who stands at 6’9″ and 240 pounds, would be another big body down low to get boards, and he would spread the floor for Zion with his 3-point shooting.

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